Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: The Knight Before Christmas
Author: Jackie Ivie
Publisher: Zebra/Kensington Publishing
ISBN: 0-8217-8012-3
Release Date: October 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Medieval Romance
Year/Setting: 1455/Scotland
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: Sexual
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Mild (more alluded to than actually described)
Jackie's Website: www.jackieivie.com
Myles is on his way to Laird Eschon but not without a whole lot of fighting back. He really does not want to go and marry this woman who by all accounts is a major harpy (and incredibly NOT good looking). He argues with his father and ends up actually fighting with his honor guard to avoid going but in the end, he loses the battle and begins to journey to meet his future bride.
Along the way, he comes to the understanding that he needs some time alone and can’t stand being with the guard who took his father’s side even though he hand picked them to serve with him. As they all settled in for the night, Myles snuck out and started on his way to the laird on his own. He thought for sure that he would out run the storm that was threatening but such as not to be the case.
No matter how many wools and furs he put on, he couldn’t keep warm as he and his trusty stead continued on through the storm. He had about given up hope of reaching the laird when he saw a distant light and traveled towards it. By the time he got there he was sicker than could be and basically fell through the door as he became unconscious. The woman in the croft was quite surprised by her unexpected guest. But with the storm outside raging she could do nothing more than pull him in, see to his horse and nurse this stranger.
Kendran had made a decision long ago to never get involved with a man so she was quite surprised to find herself drawn to this man and becoming more so as she touched him each time to ease his fever or care for him. That allure became even stronger when he finally awoke and they could converse. As they began to talk, however, Myles began to return those feelings and nature stepped in. The most pleasant surprise was that Myles determined she was the daughter he was to marry so when the storm stopped he snuck out to get to the laird first and protect her honor. Imagine his surprise to find out she wasn’t the right sister. Very interesting dilemma to be sure!
I really enjoy Jackie Ivie’s way with words. Normally I stumble a bit when dialect is used with the written word but she uses it so naturally that I didn’t find myself stumbling past about the first page. Once I had settled into character the dialect flowed easily and created enchanting conversations.
I enjoyed the flawed logic of Myles in the beginning but was particularly captured by this ethics and loyalty. Kendran had had a childhood that I wouldn’t wish on an enemy as her father was far from nice and her mother offered no protection. I can understand why she wouldn’t want anything to do with men and I applaud her sharing her pain with Myles and Myles for protecting that pain while he sought to alleviate it. Very well done.
Lori
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